Shrimp Tacos Cabbage Slaw Lime (Printable Version)

Tender shrimp paired with crisp cabbage slaw and a refreshing lime crema, served on warm tortillas.

# What You Need:

→ For the Shrimp

01 - 1 lb raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ For the Cabbage Slaw

09 - 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
10 - 1 cup finely shredded red cabbage
11 - 1 small carrot, julienned
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
13 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
14 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
16 - 1 teaspoon honey
17 - Pinch of salt and pepper

→ For the Lime Crema

18 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
19 - Zest of 1 lime
20 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
21 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ For Serving

22 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
23 - Extra lime wedges
24 - Sliced jalapeños
25 - Fresh cilantro leaves

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Toss to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate while preparing the slaw.
02 - Combine green and red cabbage, carrot, and cilantro in a large bowl. Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated. Refrigerate until ready to use.
03 - Mix sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime zest, lime juice, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside until assembly.
04 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until opaque and lightly charred. Remove from heat.
05 - Spread a spoonful of lime crema onto each warmed tortilla. Top with cabbage slaw and a few shrimp. Garnish with extra cilantro, jalapeños, and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The shrimp cook in literally minutes, so dinner is ready faster than you can decide what to watch on TV
  • That lime crema is the kind of thing you will want to put on everything else in your life
  • The crunch of the slaw against the warm tortilla is just perfect
02 -
  • Dry the shrimp really well before marinating, any excess water will make them steam instead of sear
  • Do not crowd the pan when cooking the shrimp, work in batches if needed so they get proper color
  • Let the slaw sit for at least 15 minutes, the cabbage softens slightly and absorbs the dressing beautifully
03 -
  • Buy frozen shrimp and thaw them in the fridge overnight, they are often fresher than the thawed ones at the counter
  • A microplane makes the most perfect lime zest without any bitter pith
  • If the slaw seems too dry, add just a splash more lime juice not more dressing